JANE SZABO: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

THE ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH

(JANE SZABO) — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:17:57 GMT

]]>As I walk through forests, meadows, and along the shifting edge of the sea, I witness the delicate interplay between decay and renewal. In these quiet, often overlooked spaces, symbols of life and death appear side by side. My work arises from this tension—between human intervention and nature’s resilience, between environmental urgency and enduring hope.

The Anthropocene Epoch is a conceptual photography project rooted in observation, grief, and a belief in the possibility of regeneration. I stage ephemeral interventions in the landscape using handmade papier-mâché globes and other crafted materials. These sculptural forms act as metaphors for our Earth—some pristine and spherical, others cracked or collapsing—each a reflection of our planet’s precarious state. The globes are collaged with fragments of maps: roads, highways, bodies of water, and patches of green space. These cartographic layers speak to human influence and ecological imbalance, creating a visual language of disruption and complexity.

By placing these symbolic objects into tidelands, forest clearings, and meadows, I aim to create quiet, poetic moments that ask viewers to consider both the damage we’ve inflicted and the capacity for renewal. These interventions are intentionally impermanent or unstable —vulnerable to wind, rain, and tide—mirroring the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.

This work is also deeply personal. In the wake of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, half of my community was destroyed. While our home still stands, we are displaced for over a year due to smoke damage. Living through this climate-induced disaster transformed my understanding of environmental loss from an abstract concern to an immediate, lived reality. It reinforced a sense of urgency—and responsibility—in how I engage with the natural world as both an artist and a witness.

Through symbolic imagery and constructed narratives, I hope to evoke a space where viewers can reflect on the Anthropocene not only as a crisis, but as a call to awareness, connection, and action. My photographs are not just documents—they are meditations on what we risk losing, and what we still have the power to protect.

60” x 40", edition of 3 + 1AP
30” x 20", edition of 7 + 2AP
18” x 12", edition of 10 + 2AP

I CREATORI

(JANE SZABO) — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 18:22:00 GMT

]]>I CREATORI
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, engulfing Pompeii and Herculaneum in a deluge of pumice stones and debris. These ancient Roman towns remained entombed for over 1,600 years until excavations commenced in the 18th century. Despite this catastrophic event, civilization persisted and flourished in the region, seemingly oblivious to the looming threat that had devastated its predecessors. Today, remnants of Roman civilization emerge sporadically throughout the area, integrating seamlessly with contemporary life.

Walking through the vibrant streets of Naples, one can feel the rich tapestry of history woven into the city's fabric. Amidst the modern hustle and bustle, echoes of antiquity reverberate through the city. Here, generations inhabit buildings and operate businesses passed down through centuries, embodying the enduring continuum of ancient history. Step into a shop and witness artisans meticulously restoring antique furniture, artworks, and religious artifacts, preserving these relics of the past amidst the rhythm of daily life. Observe as father and son carry on ancestral trades, bridging the gap between past and present with each passing generation. Behind each door in this city, stories linger, waiting to be told.

During my time in Naples, I sought out those who keep the city's traditions alive. I was captivated by the energy of a place where life is lived with exuberance—neighbors gather on the streets to chat, and the boundaries between public and private blur as doors remain wide open. Stepping inside, I was welcomed into homes and businesses by individuals proud of their craft and the history they uphold. Naples is a city that embraces life in all its fullness; from culinary delights, to midnight fireworks outside my window, and daily walks among well-fed neighborhood cats. I cherished every moment in this truly unique city.

Work from this series was created during a 4 week residency at Art1307 in Naples, Italy.

60” x 40", edition of 3 + 1AP
30” x 20", edition of 7 + 2AP
18” x 12", edition of 10 + 2AP

EXHIBITIONS

(JANE SZABO) — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 22:13:57 GMT

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FAMILY MATTERS

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:46:06 GMT

]]>Family Matters incorporates memory, metaphor and allegory to express the challenges, burdens and joys of my role as daughter, and now caretaker, of my elderly parents. My mother and father recently faced a daunting move into assisted living; they are struggling after a series of strokes, memory loss and the decline of their cognitive abilities. This series uses objects gathered from the family home to tell the story of my role within this family.
After moving my 86 year-old father and my 91 year-old mother into an assisted living apartment, I began organizing the contents of their home. When they left, they walked out the front door of their home of 36 years, with barely a glance behind them, leaving unopened mail on the table, and me behind, to sort through the chaos. Over the months, I returned to make the final selection of which treasures I would keep, and to tie up all the loose ends before putting the home on the market.
Family Matters uses objects from their home, and my childhood, staged as still lifes, to illustrate the story of our relationship. Using childhood possessions, and simple items that have been in the family for years, I create tableaus that hint at complicated family dynamics. The presentation of these objects is not merely a catalog of possessions, but a catalog of feelings; of pain and disappointment, hope, loss and burden.
The challenge of assisting parents who live 1000 miles away has changed my life drastically. Working through these feelings in this project has helped me unravel, and resolve, many issues that I was unable to confront about our past. Though seeing my parents age and decline is difficult, I feel I have been given a gift to be able to be a significant part of this transition.
* in memory of my mother Helen, 1925-2019 and my father William, 1930-2021

24" x 36", edition of 3 + 1AP
16" x 24", edition of 10 + 2AP
12" x 18", edition of 15 + 2AP

SOMEWHERE ELSE

(JANE SZABO) — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 19:12:50 GMT

]]>The series Somewhere Else maps an emotional route of exploration and escape. When I am here, I want to be there. Yet once I get there, I am left to wonder if this place answers or fulfills my quest. Somewhere Else features simply made homes covered in a wide array of maps, photographed in natural settings and within architectural interiors. The maps that cover these homes do not reflect the location of the image, but rather lead back to places I explored as a child or long to escape to in the future.

Evocative of the journey of life, of the visceral impact of that longing to be “somewhere else,” each work examines where we dwell literally and spiritually. It is always about the journey, the search for that place we truly want to call home. The search is symbolic of a deeper, inner search; that sensation of running away from or running to a vast “other.” Somewhere Else explores a yearning for home, or a sense of place, that one cannot return to, no longer exists, or maybe never was.

60” x 40", edition of 3 + 1AP
30” x 20", edition of 7 + 2AP
18” x 12", edition of 10 + 2AP

DIS.PLACE.MENT

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>I am deeply interested in the human condition and our sense of identity. My work explores how we live, how we relate to each other, and how we feel about our sense of self. After returning to the camera after a long hiatus, I had no interest in photographing people. And yet, perhaps to rise to the challenge, I was soon inviting myself into people’s homes, invading their personal spaces, and looking deeply into their psyches. This series of environmental portraits, which are shot in the subject’s home, have an added twist. A parent is photographed in a child’s room, or a child is presented in a parent’s space, or some other sense of displacement or discomfort exists. The displacement of the subject makes the viewer pay special attention to their surroundings. As humans, we are drawn into the lives of others, yet we see our own reflection. This project serves to allow each viewer a moment of self-introspection. These beautiful images invite you in, but once inside they force you to question your own identity, and your relationship with others.

SENSE OF SELF

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>Graciously infused with movement, Sense of Self is a series of expressive, conceptual self-portraits. Using movement and light to create a blurred, diffuse quality, I confront my own vulnerability, as well as my attempts to create a sense of order from the natural chaos of personal environment and emotion.
Intimate and evocative, the luminous images expose the attempt to shape boundaries in my life. I focus on capturing my innate need to grid, sort, map, and control – as well as a potent dichotomy - my desire to escape from oppressive, constraining self-regulation.
I shot these images after photographing environmental portraits of others, images that tapped into the subjects’ rich psychology. Through this series, I sought to visualize my personal zeitgeist and my own self-identity.

20" x 30", edition of 15 + 2AP
12" x 18", edition of 10 + 2 AP

RECONSTRUCTING SELF

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>The act of self-portraiture is akin to gazing into a mirror, except the gaze goes deeper; looking in to one’s self, not just at one’s reflection. In the series Reconstructing Self, I creatively explore self-portraiture, pushing the boundaries of the tradition, finding new ways to express self-identity. Reconstructing Self merges fabrications with conceptual photography in a series of self-portraits, playfully examining issues of identity in an ambitious juxtaposition of fashion, sculpture, installation and photography.
Photographs of dresses made from familiar objects such as coffee filters and road maps, suggest a persona, and become a stand in for my self. The personas represented in these forms illustrate who I am, who I am not, and who I wish to be. Drawing from my own background, I create still lifes, pairing objects with the dresses, building a story, and invite the viewer to contemplate the connections, and develop their own mythology.
The balance between the self and the world outside can be a precarious one. We struggle to find a way to individualize ourselves, yet often merely blend in among the masses. Presented as a typology, the photographs of dresses with their accompanying objects encourage the viewer to look closely to analyze the differences and similarities, and perhaps to fit themselves in to one or more of these dresses or “selves.” The empty forms suggest alienation or loneliness, while the materials and objects simultaneously strive for individuality and uniqueness. Though these works are self-portraits, with personal stories and memories embedded through the use of specific materials, the lack of human form makes the dresses universal. With references to paper doll dresses and childhood playtime, one can imagine these personas could be put on and removed at will as the mood, personality and stories change.

40” x 60", edition of 3 + 1AP
20” x 30", edition of 7 + 2AP
12” x 18", edition of 15 + 2AP

IN THE MOMENT

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

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Cover Page

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

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#countmein

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>#countmein is a series of fine art portraits created in collaboration with the Museum of Art & History (MOAH) in Lancaster, CA. This documentary project was designed to engage and inform the community about the 2020 Census. As the artist in residence / photographer for the project, I was tasked with making portraits of the people that live, work and visit the neighborhoods surrounding the museum. Knowing that this census tract has historically been under-reported during past censuses, it was clear that my interactions with people were an important opportunity to engage and inform them about the value of being counted. In addition to discussing the ways census participation could benefit their region by providing increased congressional representation and funding, I wanted to make each participant feel valued.

From the senior center to a tattoo parlor, to young dancers performing at a recital, to the TAY kids (Transitional Age Youth) sharing their stories as they leave the foster care system, I was honored to meet so many people that opened their hearts, and trusted me to make their portrait. And though I originally thought I was coming to this project to give people the gift of being noticed, I quickly learned that I was the one receiving the benefit.

Working on the #countmein portrait project in Lancaster, CA made me see this community in a new way. I slowed down to talk to shop clerks and the kids skateboarding in the alley; I chatted with the mailman, security guards, and people shopping in the stores. Every person greeted me with a smile, and an air of trust and openness. That's something special about Lancaster that renewed my faith in humanity, and I thank each, and every participant for their kind welcome.

71 images from this series are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art & History in Lancaster, CA

sizes vary, edition of 5 + 2AP

DAMAGED

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>Life is messy. And hard. Sometimes we are faced with personal hardships or tragedies. Other times, we are met with collective challenges that change our world views. And yet, we persevere. Damaged is walking in the forest, escaping from the troubles of the day. It is seeking the beauty of the moment, in spite of the darkness that lingers on the edges. When facing hardship, we seek solace. We put a brave face forward, but know that just behind our reassuring smiles, our “I’m fine, thank you,” our facade is cracking and our countenance is crumbling. A walk in the forest is a spiritual experience, and magical transformations can occur as we bathe in the sunlight and feel the wind on our skin. Damaged explores our marred edges while simultaneously celebrating the beauty that brings us peace.

Work from this series are unique, hand-printed limited edition pigment transfer prints.

25" x 20" image on 30" x 25" water color paper with deckle edge, edition of 4 + 1AP
10" x 8" image on 14" x 11" water color paper, edition of 5 + 2AP
8" x 8" image on 11" x 11" water color paper, edition of 5 + 2AP

I am. I am Here. I Matter.

(JANE SZABO) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:27:17 GMT

]]>I am. I am Here. I Matter.
Yo soy Yo estoy aqui. Me importo.

While many people struggled with the effects of isolation during the pandemic, I found the time a welcomed respite. Two years of relative seclusion during Covid allowed me to turn inward. During this period, I spent a significant amount of time walking in the woods, and realized I enjoyed my own company. I was grateful to be away from the bustle of city life and the routine of social obligations. As it was for many, it was a time to reevaluate what mattered most to me in life.

I finally took a break from this extended isolation to attend an artist residency in Spain. While there, I further explored this path of self-discovery, and dug deep into my feelings to contemplate my purpose. Life is short. And sometimes feels perilous. This project investigates what it means to be human in this world. It is ultimately about me. My wants and wishes, and my fears. But it is about you too. Because you matter. We all matter. And how we treasure each moment, and the earth we live on, may be just the ingredient we need to change this world for the better.

I am seeking to find my voice not as a human, but as the pulse of the air, the flow of the water, the growth of the plants. To return to the cycles of the sea and the moon - not the clock. I choose to turn toward nature, to cast aside the urban and commercial chaos that gives me angst. To live more simply. To have time to stop and smell the roses. To return to the celebration of the senses. I share my experiences of self-reflection and invite you to open your heart and your mind to feel. Feel the wind. Hear the birds. Walk in the water. Find the joy.

This multi-media project was conceived and created in Spain, and was made possible with the support of SM Pro Art and curator Marisa Caichiolo. The photographic images are part of a larger installation that includes video and audio text.

I am, I am Here, I Matter video